AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘With... the boss.’
‘Oh? I see.’ Dennis’s voice added layers of innuendo to those simple words.
‘So the boss’s takingyouout west? Just the two of you?’ This came from Mary-Ann, who’d just come into the room.
Alice suppressed a sigh. ‘Yes.’
These awkward questions could have been avoided if she’d been able to meet Liam at the airport, but he’d insisted on leaving from the office in full view of the staff. ‘I don’t want to skulk away as if we have something to hide,’ he’d said.
‘Shana won’t be too happy,’ said Mary-Ann.
Alice frowned at her. ‘I thought Shana didn’t want to go.’
‘She didn’t at first, because of Toby. But apparently the boss seemed really keen to take her and Shana went all jammy. I think she’s developed a crush on him. Anyway she ran around madly until she found a baby-sitter Toby really likes and she was all hot to trot.’
‘When was this?’ Alice tried to ignore nasty niggles of jealousy.
‘Day before yesterday.’
Beforeyesterday... Goosebumps broke out on Alice’s arms. ‘Did Shana tell Liam – I mean – the boss – that she’d found someone to mind Toby?’
Mary-Ann nodded. ‘First thing yesterday morning. But he said he’d already made alternative arrangements.’
Dennis made a show of rolling his eyes. ‘Alternative arrangements aka Our Sweet Alice.’
Alice felt her face grow hot. Liam had spoken to her late yesterday morning, which meant he’d lied when he told her that Shana wasn’t available.
How dared he lie? After the lofty way he’d talked about giving her his word, he’d been dishonest. She couldn’t bear it.
Bending to hide her bright face, she retrieved her backpack and hooked it over one shoulder. ‘Maybe not,’ she muttered and marched out of the office and into the foyer.
Through the sliding glass doors she saw a limousine waiting outside on the semi-circular drive. Liam, dressed in jeans and a casual, light blue shirt, was standing on the footpath chatting with the driver as if they were old friends.
A limo. Yikes.
The automatic doors opened for her, and the men looked in her direction.
‘Ah, Ms Madigan,’ said Liam, directing a courteous almost remote smile her way.
‘May I have a word with you, Mr. Conway?’
‘Yes, sure.’ He frowned at her. ‘What’s the problem?’
She glanced at the driver and then at Liam. ‘I don’t think I can come on this trip.’
Liam’s frown deepened. ‘But you’re all ready to go.’
How obtuse could the man be? ‘Can we discuss this inside?’
With a stiff nod he followed her back through the sliding doors and into his office.
As soon as they were safely out of earshot she challenged him. ‘You lied.’
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘Why did you tell me that Shana’s not available?’
Liam closed his eyes and let out a low groan of exasperation. Then his eyes flashed open again. ‘You’re convinced I’ve rigged this so I can get you back into bed aren’t you?’
